Is the grounded conductor required to be routed to service equipment along with ungrounded conductors?

The requirement for the grounded conductor to be routed to service equipment along with ungrounded conductors is fundamental in ensuring safety and efficiency in electrical systems. When the grounded conductor travels alongside the ungrounded conductors, it helps to minimize the potential for electromagnetic interference, maintain balanced electrical fields, and reduce the risk of accumulating dangerous voltages in the system.

By routing all conductors together, it also eases the installation process and ensures that the grounded conductor can effectively provide a return path for fault current. This arrangement helps improve the reliability of the grounding system, allowing circuit breakers to function properly in the event of a fault.

In essence, this practice aligns with the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines that underscore the importance of routing conductors together to enhance overall system integrity, which is why it is essential for the grounded conductor to run alongside the ungrounded conductors to meet safety standards.